8 Portals Alumni to check out at ArcTanGent 2026!
With the news that this year’s ArcTanGent will be the last one at Fernhill Farm, the 2026 event promises to be extra special. We’ve put together a list of 8 bands that have played a Portals event in the past that we urge you to go and see!
Band: IAN
Sounds like: gigantic riffs, sensational atmospheres and droney post-rock.
FFO: Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Amenra, Cult of Luna.
From: London
Portals connection: We promoted their second ever gig (if memory serves)
Watch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAl-cWUw46s
Band: L.O.E.
Sounds like: masterful post-rock, massive crescendos and lovely melodies.
FFO: Maybeshewill, pg.lost, Nordic Giants
From: Halifax
Portals connection: Performed with EF and Overhead, The Albatross Downstairs at the Dome in 2025.
Watch:https://youtu.be/TntLGUOMhk8?si=zjlXPITT8Nsry8k5
Band: Sans Froid
Sounds like: A rollercoaster ride of grooves, vocal splendour and hypnotic rhythms
FFO: Radiohead, Bent Knee, King Crimson
From: Bristol
Portals connection: Performed at Portals Festival 2022.
Watch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma7iZt6Yydk&list=RDma7iZt6Yydk&start_radio=1
Band: Bruit ≤
Sounds like: Apocalyptic post-rock, the end of the world.
FFO: Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Alcest, Mono.
From: Toulouse, France
Portals connection: Promoted all of their London shows.
Watch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIrb5oTlj0I&list=RDAIrb5oTlj0I&start_radio=1
Band: Civil Service
Sounds like: Melodic post-rock about the human struggle and the end of the world.
FFO: Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, The Evpatoria Report
From: Manchester
Portals connection: Played a Portals all-dayer with Redwood, also supported Million Moons album launch.
Watch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dap5ZRzbVzE&list=RDdap5ZRzbVzE&start_radio=1
Band: MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS
Sounds like: ‘90s indie, alternative, shoegaze, experimental.
FFO: Bo Ningen, Smashing Pumpkins, Tricot
From: Kobe, Japan
Portals connection: Promoted all their London shows, including the upcoming show at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in Oct 2027.
Watch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N531GYW5qtw&list=RDN531GYW5qtw&start_radio=1
Band: NYOS
Sounds like: Winding, looping math-rock, experimental.
FFO: Don Caballero, Slint, Tera Melos.
From: Leeds and Jyväskylä, Finland.
Portals connection: Played the first Portals Festival back in 2018.
Watch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqTx29S5TNk&list=RDvqTx29S5TNk&start_radio=1
Band: Din of Celestial Birds
Sounds like: triumphant, euphoric post-rock.
FFO: We Lost The Sea, Caspian, Tides From Nebula.
From: Leeds
Portals connection: Played Portals Festival 2024.
Watch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr4lg-26pIA&list=RDyr4lg-26pIA&start_radio=1